Islanders News

Islanders Assign Three to Junior Squads & Release One from ATO

The New York Islanders announced today that three players have been returned to their Junior Squads. Brenden Kichton and John Persson will return to their respective Western Hockey League (WHL) teams, while Andrey Pedan will return to his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) club. The Islanders have also released Art Bidlevskii from his Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO).

All four players participated in the Islanders’ five-day Rookie Camp and saw action in the team’s exhibition Rookie Games against the Boston Bruins.

Kichton, 19, scored 81 points (23 goals, 58 assists) in 64 games last season with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL. A native of Spruce Grove, AB, Kichton was selected by the Islanders in the fifth round (127th overall) of the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Persson, 19, scored 61 points (33 goals, 28 assists) in 61 games last season with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. The Ostersund, SWE, native was selected by the Islanders in the fifth round (125th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Pedan, 18, scored 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 51 games as a rookie last season with the Guelph Storm of the OHL. The defenseman from Moscow, RUS, was drafted by the Islanders in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Bidlevskii, 20, completed his fourth WHL season last year with the Regina Pats, scoring nine points (three goals, six assists) in 57 games. A native of Kelowna, BC, Bidlevskii also made his professional debut last season with the Sound Tigers, posting one assist in 10 games.